Summary of the Article: Martin Gauss Takes the Helm at Gulf Air
This article details the appointment of Martin Gauss as the new CEO of Gulf Air,Bahrain‘s national airline,and provides context surrounding his departure from airBaltic.Here’s a breakdown of the key details:
Martin Gauss & Gulf Air:
* New Role: Gauss has taken over leadership of Gulf Air, a historically significant airline founded in 1950. He expressed pride and a commitment to strengthening the airline’s future.
* Bahrain’s ambition: Bahrain hopes Gauss’s experiance will modernize Gulf Air and enhance its competitiveness against regional giants like emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways.
* Vision: Gauss plans to focus on innovation, efficiency, enduring growth, fleet modernization (with fuel-efficient aircraft), and strengthening sustainability initiatives.
Martin Gauss & airBaltic:
* Triumphant Change: Gauss led airBaltic for nearly 14 years (2011-2025), transforming it from a financially struggling airline into a profitable European carrier and the first operator of a fully Airbus A220 fleet.
* Departure: He left airBaltic following a vote of no confidence from the Ministry of Transport due to the airline’s financial situation, coinciding with flight cancellations and engine delivery issues.
* airBaltic’s Current State: Despite record passenger numbers (5.2 million in 2024) and revenue (almost €748 million), airBaltic ended 2024 with a loss of €118.2 million due to external factors.
airBaltic’s Future:
* New Leadership: Erno hildens will replace Gauss as CEO of airBaltic starting December 1, 2025.
* New Investment: Lufthansa Group has invested €14 million for a 10% stake in airBaltic, with potential for further investment through convertible shares linked to a potential IPO.
In essence, the article highlights a changing of the guard in the aviation industry, with a proven leader moving to revitalize a historic airline while his former company prepares for a new chapter with fresh investment and leadership.